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“The Caucus has spoken on this important issue and I’ve notified the employers about our plans for 'stop work' meetings on May 1,” said ILWU International President Bob McEllrath. ILWU.org

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ILWU slates stop-work meetings for May1

March 12, 2008

By The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has called for an eight-hour stop-work meeting during the day shift on May 1 at all West Coast ports to protest U.S. involvement in the Iraq war.

The union also called for the immediate and safe return of U.S. troops.

The ILWU caucus, at a meeting in February, also expressed concern over the large costs associated with the war.

The West Coast waterfront contract allows the ILWU to schedule a stop-work meeting each month to discuss union business. The union or its locals must notify employers in advance of the meeting.

"The caucus has spoken on this important issue and I've notified the employers about our plans for stop-work meetings on May 1," ILWU President Bob McEllrath stated on the union's Web site.

Employers reject ILWU stoppage request for May 1

March 13, 2008

By The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE

The president of the Pacific Maritime Association on Thursday said West Coast waterfront employers intend to turn down a request by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to call an eight-hour stop-work meeting on the first work shift May 1 to protest the Iraq war.

"Contractually, they've gone down the right avenue, but we are not going to agree to it," said James McKenna, PMA president. "PMA will respond to the union shortly.”

The ILWU locals are permitted to call one stop-work meeting each month to discuss union business. However, the stop-work meetings must be conducted during the second work shift, when cargo activities at most ports are lightest.

If the ILWU wishes to change the stop-work meeting time, the union must request permission. The ILWU has submitted its request in plenty of time to comply with the waterfront contract, McKenna said. Nevertheless, employers do not want all West Coast ports to be shut down for eight hours during the busy day shift on May 1, he said.

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On April 3, 2008 The Pacific Maritime Association notified the ILWU that, "The PMA doesn't consent to a stop-work meeting or any other effort to disrupt port operations."

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April 9, 2008: "For us, folks aren't going to be working on May 1. Everybody here's clear about that," said ILWU Communications Director Craig Merrilees.